I am not sure, as of right now, how to break up the epic poem, perhaps atleast 5 Cantos a week, maybe more? Any suggestions would be great.

I have the Carlyle-Okey-Wicksteed unabridged translation in front of me right now, but I've heard good things about the John Ciardi version. If there is a single translation that is superior to the rest, please say it here and maybe everyone can get the same copy.

I like the format quietmorning has, so we will have a discussion after the reading.

As to the question of why? I think it would be interesting to get Orthodox takes on this poem and how much or less it reflects the theology of the Church and what Orthodox can take away from it that may be beneficial to our spiritual life. And of course it being one of the greatest written works ever also being a good reason.

Let me know what you think. Maybe we can organize something in the near future.

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“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

Sure, if people are interested. I checked my local library and they have several copies, all of which are out, but I'm sure I can snag it when someone returns one of them.

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"as [you've] informed us that respect chills love, it is natural to conclude that all your pretty flights arise from your pampered sensibility; and that, vain of this fancied preeminence of organs, you foster every emotion till the fumes, mounting to your brain, dispel the sober suggestions of reason. It is not in this view surprising that when you should argue you become impassioned, and that reflection inflames your imagination instead of enlightening your understanding." - Mary Wollstonecraft

I'll be out of touch the next couple of days, but I'd definitely be interested. I haven't read Dante since college, so I do think it will interesting to revisit--not only with the different perspective of Orthodoxy but with another 20 years or so of life experience. The edition I have on the shelves is the Hollander translation from Anchor books. I think I've got another version around someplace (the Penguin edition I originally read) but I may have given that one away at some point.

For it were better to suffer everything, rather than divide the Church of God. Even martyrdom for the sake of preventing division would not be less glorious than for refusing to worship idols. - St. Dionysius the Great

Mark Musa seems to be the best translation. There is a book called "The Portable Dante" which has all of it but lacks maps and such. Im gonna look at the split up volumes tommorow at B&N and let you all know.

But I've nothing but praise for the translation and it's extemely readable unlike what I have.

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“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

I am not sure, as of right now, how to break up the epic poem, perhaps atleast 5 Cantos a week, maybe more? Any suggestions would be great.

I have the Carlyle-Okey-Wicksteed unabridged translation in front of me right now, but I've heard good things about the John Ciardi version. If there is a single translation that is superior to the rest, please say it here and maybe everyone can get the same copy.

Sounds wonderful & I'd definitely be up for it! The only translation I've read was Longfellow's, whose style, though striking, can present a rather cumbersome experience. "The Portable Dante" looks to be a safe (and cheap) bet, but I'm fine with whatever's decided.

« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 03:06:19 AM by kevlev »

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From my youth have many passions warred against me, but do Thou Thyself defend and save me, O Saviour.

Dude we should do one on Kierkegaard's "Practice in Christianity" at some point, which I am slowly trudging through.

"Training in Christianity" (Lowrie's translation) is currently collecting dust on my bookshelf. Sadly, I've yet to get around to reading it, so I think required reading would do much to motivate me. Please, let me know how PiC reads. I thought the Hongs did a pretty phenomenal job with "Works of Love"---feels so fluid and refreshing, especially compared to Douglas Steere's translations of Kierkegaard's work.

Dude we should do one on Kierkegaard's "Practice in Christianity" at some point, which I am slowly trudging through.

"Training in Christianity" (Lowrie's translation) is currently collecting dust on my bookshelf. Sadly, I've yet to get around to reading it, so I think required reading would do much to motivate me. Please, let me know how PiC reads. I thought the Hongs did a pretty phenomenal job with "Works of Love"---feels so fluid and refreshing, especially compared to Douglas Steere's translations of Kierkegaard's work.

I have the Hongs translation and it is phenomenal. How that compares with to Lowrie's, I don't know. I chose Hongs because many people cite it as the best translation that we currently have, and as you can tell even has a different title.

I'm not going to say much about it until I'm done reading. Actually let me clarify, how could I know its phenomenal since I don't know how close the translation is to the source material, since I can't read the language. More or less I trust those that can read both and recommend Hongs over the rest.

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Three per week seems manageable. I'll go ahead and order.

Are you seeking Orthodox interpretations alone or are Oriental, Catholic and Protestant views welcome as well?

OK.

Any interpretation is fine, it doesn't have to be Orthodox. I only said Orthodox because primarily the majority are Orthodox on this board and it would be interesting to see the similarities and differences of the Divine Comedy compared to Orthodox thought.

« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 12:30:12 PM by Achronos »

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“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

Ok folks I just got Mark Musa's translation in my hands. For a comparision check out the following.

Canto II, 127-132

From the translation of Henry F Cary:"As florets, by the frosty air of nightBent down and closed, when day has blanch'd their leaves,Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems;So was my fainting vigor new restored,And to my heart such kindly courage ran,"

From the translation of Mark Musa:"As little flowers from the frosty nightare closed and limp, and when the sun shines down on them, they rise to open on their stem,

my wilted strength began to bloom within meand such warm courage flowed into my heartthat I spoke like a man set free of fear."

I think it's obvious which is better. In fact I think it was brilliant Musa used the word "wilted" which correlates with the flowers.

Some pictures of my copy. Now the stand alone volumes have extensive notes and pictures and IIRC the Portable Dante does not have it. I will also post in the discussion threads of any maps that are included in both of my translations if your versions don't have them.

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“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

"as [you've] informed us that respect chills love, it is natural to conclude that all your pretty flights arise from your pampered sensibility; and that, vain of this fancied preeminence of organs, you foster every emotion till the fumes, mounting to your brain, dispel the sober suggestions of reason. It is not in this view surprising that when you should argue you become impassioned, and that reflection inflames your imagination instead of enlightening your understanding." - Mary Wollstonecraft

JamesRottnek I know you said you wanted to wait till the end of this month, but did you still want to do this? Been waiting for a response, but I assume you are busy. We can do it next week if you like.

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“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

I read the whole thing about three years ago, so I might comment here and there.

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But it had not been in Tess's power - nor is it in anybody's power - to feel the whole truth of golden opinions while it is possible to profit by them. She - and how many more - might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine, "Thou hast counselled a better course than thou hast permitted."

I read the whole thing about three years ago, so I might comment here and there.

What translation and what did you think? Were you an Orthodox Christian at the time?

I read the translation by Wicksteed et al, mainly because it was all in one very easy-to-carry volume. I have no idea what translation is best. I do tend to prefer more old-fashioned translations (e.g. Alexander Pope's Homer). Yes, I was Orthodox at the time. I loved the Divine Comedy though and wouldn't mind reading it again. I just got a Kindle for my birthday and downloaded the free Cary translation, so I might join in this after all.

One thing that stands out to me is that the Divine Comedy is very much a whole. Most people who read Dante simply read the Inferno, I guess mainly to peruse the various tortures and political backbiting. In doing so they really miss the point.

My favorite canzone was Purgatory. Even if, as Orthodox, we don't believe in purgatory, this section is a very good allegory for our spiritual life on earth. Also, it's just plain beautiful.

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But it had not been in Tess's power - nor is it in anybody's power - to feel the whole truth of golden opinions while it is possible to profit by them. She - and how many more - might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine, "Thou hast counselled a better course than thou hast permitted."

Hey, Achronos- I was wondering if you were able to read/ finish the Divine Comedy yet and what your thoughts were. This thread came to my mind after I was reading C.S. Lewis' The Discarded Image (which would have been helpful to read before I read the Divine Comedy.) Right now I'm reading too many things at once but I do plan on re-reading the Divine Comedy in the near future.

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But it had not been in Tess's power - nor is it in anybody's power - to feel the whole truth of golden opinions while it is possible to profit by them. She - and how many more - might have ironically said to God with Saint Augustine, "Thou hast counselled a better course than thou hast permitted."